Now’s the time to start living in Stow MA! The Nipmuc people lived in the Stow area for thousands of years before White settlers arrived around 1660. They started a small settlement that was destroyed during King Philip’s War and rebuilt in the 1680s. Stow was formally incorporated as a town in 1683 and became a prominent farming community. Stow got its name from the town of Stow-on-the-Wold in England. According to the Town of Stow, people steadily began moving to Stow over time, with over 150 farms established in Stow by 1870.
In the 1800s, Stow also became a prominent milling town, thanks to its access to waterways. During the mid-1900s, Stow pivoted to become a suburb, though there are still farms and orchards in and around the community. Stow today is a great place to live, with a quaint rural ambiance, convenient access to outdoor destinations, and friendly neighbors. Stow is best known for its apple orchards and country clubs. Its motto is “A place for growing up in and a place for coming back to.”
Living in Stow MA can be a terrific opportunity to settle down in a quiet and friendly town. But before you start moving to Stow, you need to learn about community life in this small town. Here’s what to know about living in Stow MA.
Where Is Stow?
Where is Stow, and what county is Stow in? Stow is in Middlesex County, inside the Boston MetroWest region and the Boston metropolitan area. It is 25.5 miles from Boston to Stow, so Stow is a suburb of Boston. Stow borders surrounding towns and cities near Boston, like Hudson, Maynard, Bolton, Harvard, Boxborough, and Acton. Stow is in a largely undeveloped area with large tracts of conservation land, and most of the town is undeveloped. The community has a small downtown area with some stores, and a few paved roads snake through the town. Notable geographic features in and around Stow include Lake Boon and the Assabet River.
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) provides taxi and livery rides of up to 20 miles in Stow. You can book a ride at least one day in advance between 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Rides cost as little as $3. There are no fixed routes for public transportation services in Stow. Interstate 495 runs just outside the community, making it easy to start moving to Stow from Boston or cities near Boston.
Stow MA Population and Demographics
According to the US Census, the Stow MA population in 2024 was 7,335, up by 11.3% since 2010. Stow is one of the smallest towns in Middlesex County, despite its population growth. The Stow MA population density in 2020 was 414.1 people living in Stow MA per square mile, roughly one-fifth of the Middlesex County density.
Notable people living in Stow MA include Chris Fleming, Tom Barrasso, and Dan Duquette. Notable Stow demographics include:
- 52.3% male, 47.7% female
- Median age of residents living in Stow MA: 44.8
- Racial and ethnic composition of people living in Stow MA: 83.5% White (83.1% non-Hispanic), 5.4% Asian, 4.6% two or more races, 3.2% Black or African American, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino
- Median household income of residents living in Stow MA: $177,862
- Educational attainment of people living in Stow MA: 98.7% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school, 76.6% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population of residents living in Stow MA: 9.9%
Stow is a very wealthy community with a high diversity grade. Over 70% of households living in Stow MA make at least $100,000 a year, with 43.5% making over $200,000. Only 5% of residents living in Stow MA live below the poverty line, half of the statewide rate. Stow is also a highly educated community. 40.4% of residents living in Stow MA have a post-graduate degree, nearly twice the state rate.
Stow is a very safe community to live in. Here are its latest crime rates from the FBI in 2022:
- Overall crime rate: 558 offenses per 100,000 people living in Stow MA (78.9% lower than the Boston crime rate, 59.9% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 76.0% lower than the national average)
- Violent crime rate: 57 crimes per 100,000 residents living in Stow MA (82.3% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 84.6% lower than the national rate)
- Property crime rate: 501 offenses per 100,000 residents living in Stow MA (53.2% lower than the Massachusetts rate, 74.4% lower than the national rate)
The Stow Police Department employs 11 police officers who respond to all emergencies in Stow.
Cost of Living in Stow MA
Because Stow is a suburb of Boston, you can use Boston cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Stow MA. The Boston cost of living index is 146.5. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Middlesex County would need to earn $154,387 a year. Housing is the highest expense, at $2,814 a month ($33,768 a year).
Living in Stow MA can be expensive, especially if you plan on buying a house. You can cut your cost of living and live an affordable life if you rent Stow MA real estate or start living in Stow MA without children.
Stow MA real estate can be a little pricey, catering toward high-end single-family homes. According to Redfin, the median price of Stow homes for sale is $610,000, with a median price per square foot of $310. According to RentCafe, the average price of Stow apartments is $1,651 a month.
Typical Stow* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $2.94
- 1 pound of apples: $2.63
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $3.52
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.46
- Average Stow* utilities per month: $196.33
- 1 pair of jeans: $66.67
Source: Numbeo
*Living expenses actually for Boston
Stow Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Stow
Stow has only one formal neighborhood. Gleasondale is in the southern part of the community, and it’s a former milling area turned residential neighborhood. It’s a small neighborhood in a largely undeveloped area of Stow, so it has a very small real estate market, with only a few Gleasondale homes for sale. The neighborhood offers single-family homes, including three-bedroom homes with 1,800 square feet of space, for around $700,000. The neighborhood doesn’t have major attractions, stores, or restaurants, so it’s ideal for people looking for a quiet place to live.
You can find similar homes in other parts of the community. You can find Colonial and New England-style homes throughout Stow, including Cape Cod-style homes. Nearly all Stow homes for sale have at least three bedrooms and 1,800 square feet of space. Prices are around the citywide median, though you can buy townhomes for around $400,000.
There are a few apartment complexes in Stow. Pilot Grove offers one, two, and three-bedroom Stow apartments covering 530 to 1,215 square feet. Rent starts at $1,215 a month, so Pilot Grove is one of the most affordable apartment complexes in Stow. Apartments have disability access and additional features like fully stocked kitchens. Elizabeth Brook Apartments is reserved for seniors over the age of 62, and it offers one-bedroom apartments with rent control.
Stow Weather and Climate
Stow has a humid continental climate, meaning it experiences warm but partly cloudy summers and freezing and snowy winters. According to Weather Spark, July is the hottest month of Stow weather, with an average temperature of 73 degrees and an average high of 82. Temperatures peak in late July and decline gradually through the rest of the summer and fall. January is the coldest month of the year, with an average temperature of 26 degrees and an average low of 20. Average lows remain below freezing between late November and late March.
Stow receives an average of 36.8 inches of rain and 42.1 inches of snow every year. Stow can experience snowstorms, including blizzards and nor’easters, that produce over a foot of snow as well as freezing temperatures and high winds. It’s important to follow Stow weather forecasts in the winter to prepare for these storms in advance. You can also experience thunderstorms and heavy rainstorms during the warm months after moving to Stow.
September is the best month to visit and start moving to Stow. It has an average temperature of 63 degrees, so you can stay warm in a light jacket outside. Apple orchards and attractions like Boon Lake are open during September, so you can pick apples throughout the month.
Things to Do in Stow MA
You can enjoy a wide range of unique, free, and family-friendly things to do in Stow MA, including nature trails and family-run stores! The Stow Shopping Center is home to Shaw’s, the top grocery store in Stow, as well as Aubuchon Hardware and Colonial Spirits of Stow. You can also visit the Stow Garden Center.
Butternut Farm Golf Club
Butternut Farm Golf Club is famous for having the longest golf hole in the country without a sand trap. You can enjoy 18 holes of golf with bent grass fairways, greens, and tees. You can book tournaments and special events at the golf club, with the wedding venue holding up to 200 guests.
115 Wheeler Road, Stow, MA, 01775, 978-897-3400
Honey Pot Hill Orchards
Honey Pot Hill Orchards is one of the top destinations to visit in the late summer or fall. The orchards cover 186 acres and contain spaces for picking your own apples, plums, peaches, and blueberries. The orchards are also home to mazes, hayrides, and festivals.
16 Boon Road, Stow, MA, 01775, 978-562-5666
Shelburne Farm
Shelburne Farm is another great place to visit to pick your own fruit. The farm is home to over 90 varieties of apples, 23 varieties of peaches, and four varieties of Asian pears. Adults can visit the cider bar and try out over 60 different selections of hard cider.
106 West Acton Road, Stow, MA, 01775, 978-897-9287
Additional Things to Do in Stow MA
The Stow Recreation Department plans special events and educational programs for kids, teens, and adults alike. You can visit the Stow events calendar to see when these events will occur.
Stow Restaurants
The Boston area is well known for its seafood, Asian restaurants, coffee, and other treats. Stow restaurants offer a diverse range of experiences, including affordable and kid-friendly eateries.
Red Ginger
Red Ginger serves Chinese and Japanese food in a kid-friendly space. You can order lunch specials with main courses, rice, soup, and an appetizer for less than $12. You can also sample sushi, fried rice, noodles, and poke bowls, with most menu items costing less than $15.
117 Great Road, Stow, MA, 01775, 978-897-9998
Fourth and Field
Fourth and Field is a farm-to-table restaurant with brunch, lunch, and dinner menus with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Fourth and Field is right near the Minute Man Airfield, so you can watch airplanes take off and land as you eat.
302 Boxboro Road, Stow, MA, 01775, 978-925-4126
Stow House of Pizza
Stow House of Pizza is a family-run pizzeria that offers pizzas, sandwiches, pasta dishes, and other classics. It’s one of the best restaurants in Stow for delivery and takeout.
156 Great Road, Stow, MA, 01775, 978-897-0704
Stow Jobs
According to the 495/MetroWest Partnership, Stow had 4,079 jobs in 2024. Manufacturing, retail trade, and arts and entertainment were the three largest sectors for jobs in Stow. 206 businesses were open in Stow, with 40 businesses in professional and technical services. Most residents in Stow live in the community but commute to work elsewhere, with many going to Worcester and Boston.
According to Payscale, the average salary in Stow is $102,000, with an average hourly rate of $22.05. Top employers in Stow include UPS, Dunkin Donuts, and Verizon. You can search for and apply for Stow jobs on Indeed and apply for Town of Stow jobs on the municipal government’s website.
Stow Schools
Many families start moving to Stow to enjoy Stow schools. Students living in Stow MA and attending public schools are in the Nashoba Regional School District. All students in Stow are zoned for The Center School, Hale Middle School, and Nashoba Regional High School. US News ranks The Center School in the top 100 elementary schools in Massachusetts, with 72% of students testing at or above the proficiency level in reading. US News also ranks Hale Middle School in the top 100 middle schools in the state.
US News ranks Nashoba Regional High School in the top 40 high schools in Massachusetts and in the top 1,000 high schools in the country. 60% of students pass at least one AP exam, and at least 70% of students test at or above the proficiency levels in reading, science, and mathematics.
Students living in Stow MA can attend Minuteman High School, which offers specialized technical education. Students at Minuteman High School pursue one of 19 technical education majors and take hands-on classes to prepare them for the workforce. Students living in Stow MA in 8th, 9th, and 10th grade can apply to take classes at Minuteman, but they must submit an application with a recommendation letter from their previous school.
Stow is not home to any private schools, colleges, or universities. The Randall Library is in Stow and serves all residents living in Stow MA.
Stow Statistics and Information
- County: Middlesex County
- Stow area: 18.1 square miles
- Stow zip code: 01775
- Stow area code: 351 and 978
- Stow elevation: 231 feet
- Stow time zone: Eastern Time Zone (UTC -4 and -5)
- Closest airport to Stow: Minute Man Air Field (MMN), located in Stow
Stow Map
You can use this Stow map to find the best restaurants, things to do, and amenities in the Town of Stow!
Start Living in Stow MA Today
There are good reasons why people living in Stow MA call it one of the best suburbs of Boston! Stow offers low crime rates, a quaint and family-friendly atmosphere, and top schools, making it a great place to raise children or settle down.
Moving to Stow isn’t as tricky as you might think it is. Mass Bay Movers has a team of the best Stow movers, with over 2,000 successful and safe moves performed every year. Call 978-587-3775 for a free estimate now.
